Recent Water Damage Posts

Freezing Pipe Season!

1/2/2024 (Permalink)

With the cold weather bearing down our necks, it raises concern about pipes freezing in homes and businesses. When pipes freeze it leaves a huge mess of water damage to your homes and businesses. That is when you call SERVPRO of Fox Chase/Torresdale to help you clean up the mess and fix the areas that were damaged from the water damage. Here at SERVPRO®, we make it our job to make sure that the customer is happy with the outcome of the job.

Here are a couple things that will help to prevent this disaster from happening:

  • Keep your home or apartment thermostat temperature set to at least 55 degrees.

  • Do not block heat to areas of your residence that contain plumbing or water fixtures. Keep doors open to bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and cabinets that contain pipes, especially those located on the north side of the dwelling, to expose the plumbing to warmer air inside the house.

  • Prevent drafts of cold winter air by keeping windows and storm windows closed. Repair cracks or holes around doors and windows to keep cold air from blowing in.

  • Cover pipes in unheated areas with heat tape or pipe insulation. Make sure heat tapes are properly installed and working safely.

  • If you plan to be away from your residence for an extended period of time, ask someone to check your house or apartment periodically. Show them what to do if water pipes freeze and where to locate your water shut-off valve in case of an emergency.

What To Do Before, During and After Water Damage

9/16/2022 (Permalink)

We cannot control Mother Nature; when she hits Philadelphia, we need to make sure we are ready to go for whatever damage she leaves behind. We can’t control the weather but we can control what we do to prepare for the before, during and after water damage.

Here are the things you should do before, during and after water damage to make the remediation process easy for you.

BEFORE:

  • Make a list of all the things you own; furniture, clothing, valuables
  • Fill out a Family Emergency Plan, or if you are a business owner/property owner - fill out our Emergency Ready Plan
  • Have a To-Go Bag that you can grab if you are rushing out in a hurry
  • Be aware of what your insurance company covers when damage unexpectedly hits your home or business

DURING:

  • Turn off water valves and electricity circuits 
  • Call you insurance company to file a claim
  • Stay away from any flood water whether it’s from a storm or a leaking pipe. You’re unfamiliar with where the water came from.
  • Call your local SERVPRO, give them the insurance claim number. After communicating with the insurance company, our crews will be dispatched out to your home to assess the situation and discuss next steps.

AFTER:

  • Depending on the damage will determine what happens after the damage is assessed by our professionals. We take pride in making sure the water damage remediation process is as smooth as possible for our customers. 

Flooding is the most common U.S. natural disaster, and Pennsylvania has the highest flooding rate of any state. 

If your home or business is suffering from water damage, don’t hesitate to call SERVPRO of Fox Chase/Torresdale now at 215-545-5300.

4 Tips to Find Leaks In Your Home

8/18/2022 (Permalink)

Did you know that the average household leak can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water waste every year, and ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more a day? MIND BLOWN!

Consider these 4 tips for finding household leaks, according to the Environmental Protection Agency:

1. Have you taken a look at your water bill recently? If not, it’s time to see how much water you and your family are using per month. If a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons, there is aserious leaksomewhere.

2. Check your water meter first, then one or two hours later after not using any water. If the number has moved then you have a leak somewhere.

3. Dye test in your toilet! Drop food coloring into your toilet tank and if any color shows up in the bowl, you have a leak. Immediately flush to avoid staining the tank.

4. Call the water restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Fox Chase/Torresdale to help!

Our team recently got a call of a water leak from the top floor to the lower level. Once our crew got in there, they quickly realized the caulking around the shower was deteriorating, which caused water to leak onto the floor when used.

If you are experiencing leaking in your home or property, call us today for an estimate!

Life Cycle of Mold

7/11/2022 (Permalink)

LIFE CYCLE OF MOLD

       SERVPRO of Fox Chase/Torresdale, dressed in head to toe Tyvek suits, responded to a call of a vacant house saturated in mold. The vacant home suffered a leaking pipe in the bathroom causing moisture to build up. Because the home was vacant for two months, the mold grew throughout the entire house.

       Here are 5 common places in your house where mold grows. 

    1. ATTIC: mold grows from the accumulation of moisture condensation in the gap between your warm house and the cold weather outside. Getting the proper insulation will reduce the amount of condensation. 
    2. HVAC & AIR DUCTS:  A warm location with high water vapor content is particularly prone to mold buildup within the ducts.
    3. INSIDE WALLS
    4. BATHROOM
    5. CRAWL SPACE

       SERVPRO of Fox Chase/Torresdale found out quickly that this mold grew in ALL 5 of these places and then some. Our mitigation team came in and tore down the walls to the studs. The insurance company needed to inspect the house prior to reconstruction to decide what our next steps would be in the rebuilding process.

       If you suspect there is mold in your house, talking to a SERVPRO professional is the most effective course of action. Based on moisture levels in the affected area, our professionals will be able to tell you if a simple cleaning would work or if you need immediate remediation. Call us today for a quote!

Frequently Asked Questions About Mold

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

Sensing mold or mildew in your home or business can be an unsettling discovery. The first question that comes to mind is, “what now?” We have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about mold and mildew.

  1. How soon after water damage does mold form?
    • It is important to act quickly after water damage occurs in your home or business. Mold can start growing between 24-48 hours after damage or until the access to water has been removed.
  2. How does mold spread in the house?
    • Mold spreads by releasing it’s spores into the air. These spores can spread by fans, HVAC systems, or people or pets that come in contact with the spores. It’s important to keep the mold contained until professionals arrive and assess the situation.
  3. Can you clean up mold yourself?
    • It is highly recommended not to try cleaning mold by yourself. However, you can search for the water source and turn it off as soon as it’s found, but try not to disturb the mold by doing so. It is also recommended to turn off HVAC systems until professionals can inspect and diagnose the mold issue. 
  4. Can you stay in your house during mold remediation?
    • Depending on the severity of the mold in your home, it is sometimes possible to remain in the home during remediation. One of the first things SERVPRO does before beginning remediation work is to contain the affected area so that it is isolated and to limit cross-contamination in areas not affected.

For more on mold remediation - visit us at SERVPRO.com.

How To Recover From Water Damage

7/13/2021 (Permalink)

Bursting pipe A burst pipe can cause major damage to your home in Philadelphia, PA.

While the prospect of a water leak in your home might be terrifying, the recovery process is not as hard or lengthy as you might think. There are a few things you should do immediately after you’ve had bursting pipes in your home to make cleanup easier:

  1. Disconnect the power and remove any electronics from the area.
  2. Remove as much standing water as possible using buckets and towels.
  3. Dry the affected area thoroughly; open windows and turn on fans for the best air circulation.
  4. Place any wet objects and furniture to dry in a room with good air flow, out of the sun.
  5. Contact a restoration specialist to assess the extent of the damage as soon as possible.

The Speed of Recovery

Recovery from water damage usually takes three to five days, although it may take between seven and 10 days if you have wood floors. Any broken items should be removed and discarded safely, whereas any salvageable items should be hung to dry indoors so they won’t be affected by sunlight. Items such as books or clothes should only be put away again once they are truly dry to avoid any mold growth.

As for recovery of the house itself, the time required will depend on the extent of the damage. While It may not take long to fix a broken pipe, drywall, floors, carpet and other surfaces need thorough drying and disinfection to prevent further issues.

The Dangers of Water Damage

If your home was subject to damage from a natural disaster or bursting pipes, it may be at risk for a number of potentially dangerous consequences:

  • Contaminated water
  • Mold infestation
  • Structural damage
  • Property damage

To avoid these issues, follow the steps above and find a specialist in Philadelphia, PA, who can help you assess your home for any unseen issues. Bursting pipes can’t always be prevented, but a restoration specialist will help you feel secure in your home knowing that you’re protected against greater risks.

What should I do until help arrives?

4/5/2018 (Permalink)

A flooded basement leaves contents floating in the water

You never expect it when a water damage wreaks havoc on your home.  The water damage clean up can be a headache so you always want to be prepared.  Here are 5 tips to help you recover quickly when a water damages your property.  1. Find the source of the water damage.  It's easy to find a faucet left running or sewer backup.  However, if water is coming from a hidden pipe in the walls you need to shut off water to the house as quickly as possible.  2. After the panic has settled down, assess the level of damage to your home.  There are some steps you can take to remove the water from your house, but if carpeting, drywall, rugs or other structural damage has occurred, call a professional water restoration company like SERVPRO of Fox Chase/Torresdale immediately.  3. Move Quickly!  You need to start mitigating the damage before more damage piles up.  Bacteria and hazardous mold spores can begin to grow within hours of the catastrophe.  4.  Use a shop-vac to remove as much water as possible until the professionals show up.  The longer the water sits on the floor, the more damage it will create.  Move quickly to remove as much water as possible.  5. Take photos for your insurance claim.  Your insurance company will probably send out someone to investigate the damage, but if you have pictures that show everything as it happened, it could smooth out the claims process.  Of course, the best kind of water damage is the one that never happens, but if you do ever find yourself in need, the professionals at SERVPRO of Fox Chase/Torresdale are here to help you 24/7.

Here to Help 24/7

4/20/2017 (Permalink)

A roof leak caused significant damage to cabinetry and drywall after another vendor was unable to respond in a timely fashion.

SERVPRO of Fox Chase/Torresdale is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, even on weekends and holidays!  When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is critical.  Delays can greatly increase the severity of the water damage, causing increase in repair costs and extending the time it takes to repair.

We know that when you call for our services, you may be feeling overwhelmed.  You need industry experts to guide you through the restoration process.  SERVPRO of Fox Chase/Torresdale has the certified training and industry experience to help you through this difficult time.

We are by the phone ready to respond, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week- call 215-600-1497 today!  We'll make it like it never even happened!

I have experienced a Water Damage- What Now?

3/28/2017 (Permalink)

Basement in need of extraction due to water damage

You never expect it when a water damage wreaks havoc on your home.  The water damage clean up can be a headache so you always want to be prepared.  Here are 5 tips to help you recover quickly when a water damages your property.  1. Find the source of the water damage.  It's easy to find a faucet left running or sewer backup.  However, if water is coming from a hidden pipe in the walls you need to shut off water to the house as quickly as possible.  2. After the panic has settled down, assess the level of damage to your home.  There are some steps you can take to remove the water from your house, but if carpeting, drywall, rugs or other structural damage has occurred, call a professional water restoration company like SERVPRO of Fox Chase/Torresdale immediately.  3. Move Quickly!  You need to start mitigating the damage before more damage piles up.  Bacteria and hazardous mold spores can begin to grow within hours of the catastrophe.  4.  Use a shop-vac to remove as much water as possible until the professionals show up.  The longer the water sits on the floor, the more damage it will create.  Move quickly to remove as much water as possible.  5. Take photos for your insurance claim.  Your insurance company will probably send out someone to investigate the damage, but if you have pictures that show everything as it happened, it could smooth out the claims process.  Of course, the best kind of water damage is the one that never happens, but if you do ever find yourself in need, the professionals at SERVPRO of Fox Chase/Torresdale are here to help you 24/7.